Bikram Yoga Fort Myers — Local services in San Carlos Park

I have a sedate day job mainly behind a desk or in countless meetings. Exercised every now and them but starting to realize that I wasn't as physically capable to do what I did just a few years ago. I then realized that I had runner's knee (knee clicks with every step) after a 5k charity run six months ago and felt I was a few steps away from knee surgery/replacement. A friend recommended yoga without mentioning the variants and saw Jim's Bikram Yoga class was on the way to work. Entered a heated dark room where ~20 students had laid out their yoga mats. Class starts when Jim turns on the lights and begin the 26 formal stretching, compression, and strength building postures separated by 26 brief breaks or savasanas and 3 water breaks. Jim would describe what to do and what to emphasize or tries to motivate us as we are doing the postures and during the savasanas. Jim makes it a point to know everyone's first name and I was called out by Jim for not conducting a posture safely which helped me to correctly position myself. After the 1st session, I was surprised how challenging a workout it was. Although I expected that the muscles around my knees were extremely weak, because the 26 postures are geared for the entire body I noticed how inflexible my back and legs have become.

Currently I try to attend a Bikram class at least 1-3x week especially when I am traveling for work. Over ~ 6 months, I feel I have more energy, flexibility and amazing heat tolerance. The Florida heat no longer bothers me. I highly recommend Jim's classes for the following:

passion - Jim lives and breathes Bikram and it shows when he is instructing us or trying to motivate us. I believe that I have kept it up and progressed faster because of it.

precise instruction - Jim's Bikram experience shows as he is giving advice on what to emphasize during the different...

Bikram Yoga in sunny Fort Myers has changed my life. Jim is the real deal and he teaches the practice exactly how it’s intended. To work. Every system in your body, healing you from the inside out. Don’t believe me? I triple dog dare you to give it a shot. It’s not for the weak minded. This is a disciplinary practice. FOR YOU. NObody else is in the room. Tune them out. Nothing else matters. It’s only you, looking deep inside yourself. In a mirror. In a super hot room. For 90 solid (zone out of this world) minutes. I fell in love with Bikram because it reminded me of childbirth. Weird right? Hang in there... It took my mind back to this inner strength we’re naturally born with.This extreme discomfort, not knowing how you will make it out, breathing nonetheless, but you do... and when you do, you are reborn. A new life. You FEEL different. Awake. Everything is brighter, more focused, more aware... Like you’re opening your eyes for the first time... Every class is the same, but everyday is different. Can I add one more thing? There’s no doubt in my mind this practice helped me save a persons life from drowning. I had strength with calmness and a leg lock so tight no strong current could take us down. “You must kill yourself in here so you don’t kill yourself out there.” -Jimmy Ji. If anything, go there for his one liners. They will make you smile. BUT DON’T SMILE! Concentrate. Only on you. In that mirror. Don’t move, wipe, scratch, blink. Stay still. “Quiet as a church mouse on the outside, but busier than a New York City street on the inside. Feel all those sensations. Ping pong balls of energy bouncing around inside of you.” Ahhhh.... ok. I’m done for now, although the benefits are endless, could go on. Go ahead, do yourself a favor and open your mind...

I have been practicing Bikram Yoga at the Fort Myers studio for about 5 years. As I think back, my practice has changed dramatically over the years. I was not able to do many of the postures and breathing but I did not give up because I just knew that this was the most powerful and healthful thing that I could do for myself. I had read about all of the benefits of Bikram Yoga as well as other's testimonials, and I wanted to experience it too! Through daily practice, perseverance, and believing in myself, I created a mind and body that never felt or looked as good! It was exhilarating for others to notice these changes too, such as my acne disappearing, my healthy skin glow, and my happy, serene moods. I could go on and on about the "new" me but ultimately people need to find out for themselves what this yoga can do for them.

Fast forward to today, and I am practicing Bikram Yoga at 36 weeks pregnant. I have been actively practicing since the beginning of my second trimester and I feel absolutely amazing!!! I'm not having the "typical" pregnancy complaints that many women have, which I believe is largely due to the yoga. My energy levels are up and I am incredibly thankful to have found this yoga and continue practicing during such a miraculous and changing time in my life.

Lastly, I just have to say how much I have grown to love not only the yoga but the people at the Bikram Fort Myers studio. They truly are my family and one of a kind. I feel very fortunate to have Jim as my yoga instructor. His passion and discipline for the yoga practice has driven and inspired me throughout the years, and for that I am eternally...